System and method for dispensing adhesive imbalance correction weight

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed for dispensing all amount of imbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. The imbalance correction weight includes a number of individual weights provided on a length of double-sided adhesive tape. A guide directs the imbalance correction weight through a channel provided by the guide toward a tape divider. A driver pulls a protective backing away from the tape causing the imbalance correction weight to move through the channel toward the tape divider. A sensor counts the individual weights that move past it. When the sensor has counted a desired number of individual weights, a controller instructs the driver to stop pulling on the protective backing thereby stopping movement of the imbalance correction weight and then instructs the tape divider to divide the tape to provide the amount of imbalance correction weight. A weight applicator automatically receives the amount of imbalance correction weight and is operable to attach it to the rotary element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/286,076, filed Apr. 24, 2001, which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a system for dispensing adhesiveimbalance correction weight for correcting imbalance in rotary elements.The invention is disclosed in the context of correcting imbalance invehicle wheel-and-tire assemblies. The invention is believed to beuseful in other applications as well.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In recent years, some vehicle wheel designs have evolved that donot permit the use of pound-on imbalance correcting weights on theoutwardly facing, or “curb” side of the wheel. These wheels aresometimes called “flangeless” or “soft face” wheels. Flangeless or softface wheels generally require adhesive weights to be applied from thecar side of the tire and wheel assembly to the inside diameter of thewheel to correct some portion of the imbalance in the assembly.Currently, an operator selects a specific size weight from a row ofbins, removes the protective tape and applies the weight to the wheel.This process is slow and it is easy for the operator to select the wrongweight. In addition, typical currently available adhesive weights aremade from pieces of lead with protective coatings to reduce thelikelihood of direct worker contact with the lead. These one-pieceweights are preformed to a specific wheel radius. Workers sometimesreshape the weights to the radius of a wheel for which the weights werenot originally made. Otherwise, optimal adherence of the adhesive weightwill not be achieved. These characteristics lead to additional work andrework at imbalance correcting stations for wheel and tire assemblies.

[0004] Another currently available system pulls extruded lead, withadhesive already applied, from a coil of extruded lead, forms theextruded lead to a particular radius, and then cuts the amount ofextruded lead necessary to achieve a particular amount of imbalancecorrection. Weights formed using this system leave the ends of the leadweights exposed to contact with workers. This exposed lead isunacceptable to many manufacturers. Also as noted, this system forms theextruded lead to only one radius. Again, this means that if the weightis to be applied to a wheel having another radius, the worker mustreshape the weight to the desired curvature. Additionally, lead isheavy, resulting in the coils having limited capacity. This results infrequent replacement of the somewhat unwieldy coils.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to several aspects of the invention, apparatus isprovided for dispensing imbalance correction weight for attachment to arotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. Theimbalance correction weight includes one or more individual weightsprovided on a length of tape.

[0006] According to one of these aspects of the invention, the apparatusincludes a blade and an anvil which cooperate to cut the tape, and asequencer for sequencing relative movement of the blade and the anvil ina blade-moving stroke and an anvil-moving stroke, respectively.

[0007] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thesequencer includes a spring for biasing the blade away from the anvil tosequence the anvil-moving stroke to occur before the blade-movingstroke.

[0008] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the apparatus includes a blade carriage carrying the blade, and an anvilcarriage carrying the anvil. The blade carriage and the anvil carriageare mounted on a frame for relative movement.

[0009] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the sequencer includes a stop for engaging the anvil carriageto end the anvil-moving stroke.

[0010] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thestop includes a first adjustable member for adjusting the excursion ofthe anvil during the anvil-moving stroke.

[0011] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the stop includes a second adjustable member engaging the anvil carriageto position the anvil before the anvil-moving stroke. The firstadjustable member engages the anvil carriage to end the anvil-movingstroke.

[0012] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, a motor is coupled to the blade carriage and the anvilcarriage for moving the blade during the blade-moving stroke and theanvil during the anvil-moving stroke.

[0013] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, themotor includes a cylinder and a rod extensible from the cylinder inresponse to fluid flow. The cylinder is coupled to one of the anvilcarriage and the blade carriage. The rod is coupled to the other of theanvil carriage and the blade carriage.

[0014] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the apparatusincludes a tape divider for dividing the tape, and a sensor for countingindividual weights. The tape divider divides the tape when the sensorhas counted a number of individual weights necessary to reduce theimbalance.

[0015] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thesensor is a photosensor.

[0016] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the sensor is positioned immediately upstream from a dividingzone in which the tape divider operates to divide the tape.

[0017] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the apparatus includes a guide for directing the imbalance correctionweight toward the tape divider. The guide includes a wall and a biasmechanism for sequentially biasing one or more individual weightsagainst the wall. The sensor is positioned to count a weight when theweight is biased against the wall by the bias mechanism.

[0018] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thewall includes an opening. The sensor senses the weight through theopening.

[0019] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the guide includes a channel through which the imbalance correctionweights pass on their way to the tape divider, and the sensor ispositioned across the channel from the bias mechanism.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatusincludes a tape divider for dividing the tape and a guide for directingthe imbalance correction weight toward the tape divider. The guideincludes a wall and a bias mechanism between which the imbalancecorrection weight is directed. The bias mechanism yieldably biases aportion of the imbalance correction weight against the wall.

[0021] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thebias mechanism includes a body and a first bias element for yieldablybiasing a portion of the body toward the wall to bias a portion of theimbalance correction weight against the wall.

[0022] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the apparatus including a frame. The body is mounted on the frame forpivotal movement in response to variations in the size of the individualweights and the compressibility of the tape.

[0023] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the bias mechanism includes a second bias element foryieldably biasing the portion of the body away from the wall to maintaina space between the body and the wall when no imbalance correctionweight is between the body and the wall.

[0024] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thefirst bias element exerts a force on the body of a first distance from apivot axis of the body and the second bias element exerts a force on thebody at a second distance from the pivot axis, the first distance beinggreater than the second distance.

[0025] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,each of the first and second bias elements includes a plunger and aspring yieldably biasing the plunger against the body.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the individualweights are provided on a first side of a length of tape, and aremovable backing is provided on a second side of the tape. Theapparatus includes a tape divider for dividing the tape and a driver forremoving the backing from the second side to move the imbalancecorrection weight toward the tape divider.

[0027] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thedriver includes a wheel and a movable belt for pulling on a portion ofthe backing removed from the second side.

[0028] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the movable belt is trained about at least two pulleys.

[0029] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the portion of the backing removed from the second sidepasses between the wheel and the movable belt.

[0030] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the apparatus includes a motor coupled to a first one of the pulleys todrive the belt.

[0031] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thedriver includes a clutch-and-brake mechanism coupled to the motor andthe first one of the pulleys.

[0032] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the apparatus includes a device for yieldably urging thewheel against the movable belt with the portion of the backing betweenthe belt and the wheel.

[0033] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thedevice includes a pivotal arm rotatably supporting the wheel and aspring coupled to the arm to bias the wheel toward the belt.

[0034] According to several other aspects of the invention, methods areprovided for dispensing imbalance correction weight for attachment to arotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. Theimbalance correction weight includes one or more individual weightsprovided on a length of tape.

[0035] According to one of these aspects of the invention, eachindividual weight has an outer surface covered by a coating. The methodincludes dividing the tape while maintaining the coating on theindividual weights to provide the imbalance correction weight.

[0036] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,dividing the tape to provide the amount of imbalance correction weightincludes moving a blade and an anvil relative to the tape so that theblade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape.

[0037] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the method includes providing a gap between the pair of adjacentindividual weights. Moving a blade and an anvil relative to the tape sothat the blade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape includes movingthe anvil between a pair of adjacent individual weights into contactwith a first side of the tape. Moving the anvil between a pair ofadjacent individual weights into contact with a first side of the tapeincludes moving the anvil into the gap.

[0038] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, moving a blade and an anvil relative to the tape so that theblade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape includes moving the bladeinto contact with a second side of the tape after moving the anvilbetween the pair of adjacent individual weights into contact with thefirst side of the tape.

[0039] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,providing a gap includes changing a direction of motion of the tape toopen up the gap between adjacent individual weights.

[0040] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,moving a blade and an anvil relative to the tape so that the blade andanvil cooperate to divide the tape includes yieldably biasing the bladeagainst movement toward the tape.

[0041] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, moving the anvil into the gap and the blade toward the anvilto divide the tape includes moving the anvil and the blade along pathsthat form oblique angles with a direction of motion of the imbalancecorrection weight prior to the change in the direction of motion of theimbalance correction weight.

[0042] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, movingthe anvil into the gap and the blade toward the anvil to divide the tapeincludes moving the anvil into contact with at least one of the adjacentindividual weights to widen the gap.

[0043] According to a further aspect of the invention, the methodincludes counting a desired number of individual weights, and dividingthe tape when the desired number of individual weights has been countedto provide the amount of imbalance correction weight.

[0044] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, themethod includes biasing the desired number of individual weights towarda sensor that counts the desired number of individual weights.

[0045] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,counting the desired number of individual weights includes counting thedesired number of weights using a photosensor.

[0046] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, counting the desired number of individual weights includescounting the individual weight next adjacent the desired number ofindividual weights.

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the method includesmoving the imbalance correction weight through a guide including a wall,yieldably biasing a portion of the imbalance correction weight againstthe wall, and dividing the tape to provide the amount of imbalancecorrection weight.

[0048] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,yieldably biasing a portion of the imbalance correction weight againstthe wall includes sequentially biasing one or more individual weightsagainst the wall adjacent an outlet of the guide.

[0049] According to another aspect of the invention, the individualweights are provided on a first side of a length of tape. A removablebacking is provided on a second side of the tape. The method includesremoving the backing from a portion of the second side, moving theimbalance correction weight toward a tape divider in response toremoving the backing from the portion of the second side, and dividingthe tape at the tape divider to provide the amount of imbalancecorrection weight.

[0050] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,removing the backing from a portion of the second side includes moving aportion of the backing already removed from the second side and the tapefrom which the backing has been removed in different directions.

[0051] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, removing the backing from a portion of the second sideincludes pulling on a portion of the backing previously removed from thesecond side.

[0052] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, pullingon a portion of the backing previously removed from the second sideincludes passing the portion of the backing previously removed from thesecond side between a movable belt and a wheel.

[0053] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the method includes directing the backing removed from the second sidefrom between the belt and the wheel into a collection container.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus isprovided for attaching an imbalance correction weight to a rotaryelement to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. The imbalancecorrection weight includes one or more individual weights provided on afirst side of a length of tape. The tape includes a second side forattachment to the rotary element. The apparatus includes a bodyincluding a first surface for pressing the second side against therotary element, and a clamp including a pair of jaws providing achannel. The jaws are movable relative to the body between extendedorientations in which the channel is beyond the first surface andretracted orientations in which the channel is not beyond the firstsurface.

[0055] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, eachjaw includes a convex second surface for contacting the rotary elementto move the imbalance correction weight out of the channel.

[0056] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the first surface includes a convex surface.

[0057] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, the channel includes a groove defined in each jaw.

[0058] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, eachgroove is bounded on one side by a flange. The flanges facing eachother. The flanges cooperate to hold the weight yieldably when the jawsare in the retracted orientation.

[0059] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the clamp includes a bias mechanism for yieldably biasing the jawstoward each other.

[0060] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, one of the body and the jaws includes at least one slot. Theother of the body and the jaws includes at least one aperture. Tt leastone connector extends through the aligned slot or slots and aperture orapertures. At least one spring is oriented on the connector orconnectors and between the body and the jaws.

[0061] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,the apparatus includes a bias mechanism for yieldably biasing the jawstoward their extended orientations.

[0062] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, thebody includes at least one bore. The bias mechanism includes a plungerand a spring yieldably urging the plunger from the at least one bore andthe plunger is coupled to the clamp.

[0063] According to another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for attaching an imbalance correction weight to a rotaryelement to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element. The imbalancecorrection weight including one or more individual weights provided on afirst side of a length of tape. The tape includes a second side forattachment to the rotary element. The method includes holding theimbalance correction weight by a clamp, pressing the clamp against therotary element, and releasing the imbalance correction weight from theclamp in contact with the rotary element.

[0064] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, holdingthe imbalance correction weight by a clamp includes providing a channelin the clamp and positioning at least a portion of the imbalancecorrection weight in the channel.

[0065] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,pressing the clamp against the rotary element and releasing theimbalance correction weight from the clamp together include moving theat least a portion of the imbalance correction weight outside thechannel.

[0066] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, pressing the clamp against the rotary element and releasingthe imbalance correction weight from the clamp together includeretracting a pair of jaws of the clamp with respect to a body providedfor pressing the imbalance correction weight against the rotary element.

[0067] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,retracting a pair of jaws of the clamp with respect to a body providedfor pressing the imbalance correction weight against the rotary elementincludes moving the jaws away from one another.

[0068] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,releasing the imbalance correction weight from the clamp includes movingthe imbalance correction weight out of grooves formed in the jaws. Thegrooves face each other. The imbalance correction weight moves to aposition outside the grooves in which the jaws cooperate to hold theimbalance correction weight.

[0069] Additionally illustratively according to this aspect of theinvention, pressing the clamp against the rotary element and releasingthe imbalance correction weight from the clamp together include rollingthe clamp against the rotary element.

[0070] Illustratively according to this aspect of the invention, rollingthe clamp against the rotary element includes rolling a convex surfaceof the clamp against a concave surface of the rotary element which has aradius of curvature greater than a radius of curvature of the convexsurface of the clamp.

[0071] Further illustratively according to this aspect of the invention,holding the imbalance correction weight by a clamp includes holding theimbalance correction weight by a pair of jaws of the clamp. Each jawincludes a convex surface. Rolling a convex surface of the clamp againsta concave surface of the rotary element which has a radius of curvaturegreater than a radius of curvature of the convex surface of the clampincludes rolling the convex surfaces of the jaws against the concavesurface of the rotary element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] The invention may best be understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings whichillustrate the invention. In the drawings:

[0073]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a weight dispenser,applicator, control system and method for dispensing and applying adesired amount of imbalance correcting weight to a rotary element, theimbalance of which has been determined;

[0074]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the weight dispensersystem illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0075]FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of theweight dispenser system illustrated in FIGS. 1-2;

[0076]FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of anamount of imbalance correcting weight in the form of individual weightson an adhesive backing;

[0077]FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary top plan view of components ofthe weight dispenser system illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0078]FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded fragmentary view of components ofthe weight dispenser system illustrated in FIG. 3;

[0079]FIG. 7 illustrates a partly fragmentary top plan view ofcomponents of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 in a firstorientation;

[0080]FIG. 8 illustrates a partly fragmentary top plan view ofcomponents of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 in a secondorientation;

[0081]FIG. 9 illustrates a fragmentary elevation view of components ofthe apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5-8 in a first orientation;

[0082]FIG. 10 illustrates a fragmentary elevation view of components ofthe apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5-9 in a second orientation;

[0083]FIG. 11 illustrates an elevation view of a detail of thecomponents illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5-10;

[0084]FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary top plan view ofcertain details of the components illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8in a first orientation;

[0085]FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view taken alongsection lines 13-13 of FIG. 12;

[0086]FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary top plan view ofcertain details of the components illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12and 13 in a second orientation; and,

[0087]FIG. 15 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view taken alongsection lines 15-15 of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0088] Referring generally to the drawings, a weight dispenser system 10(FIG. 2) dispenses a selected amount of imbalance correcting weight 12(FIG. 4). The selected amount is sufficient to cure substantially animbalance in a rotary element 14, such as a vehicle wheel-and-tireassembly (FIGS. 12, 14 and 15). Weight 12 includes individual imbalancecorrecting weights 16 provided on a first adhesive side 18 of a lengthof double-sided adhesive tape 20. A removable protective backing 22,such as a thin film, is provided on a second adhesive side 23 of tape 20to protect side 23 from contamination before weight 12 is dispensed.Weights 16 are oriented on first side 18 of tape 20 in side-by-side,intimate contact with adjacent weights 16 and are of substantiallyuniform configuration and weight. Each weight 16 is generally rightrectangular prism-shaped and has a protective coating covering itsentire outer surface to avoid exposure of workers to the material, forexample, lead, from which the weights 16 are made. Tape 20 is elastic toaccommodate a variety of radii of curvature of rotary elements.

[0089] As illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1, system 10automatically dispenses the desired amount of weight 12 based on adesired weight input 24 from an imbalance measuring machine or anoperator. Input 24 is the number of individual weights 16 to bedispensed by system 10. A controller 25 uses input 24 to controloperation of system 10. A feeder 26 of system 10 pulls on backing 22 toremove it from side 23. The removal of backing 22 causes weight 12 toadvance past a weight sensor 28 of system 10 and a tape divider 30 ofsystem 10, Weight sensor 28 counts the individual weights 16 moving pastit and sends a counter signal 35 indicative thereof to controller 25.Controller 25 uses this counter signal 35 to determine when to instructfeeder 26 by a feeder signal 36 to stop movement of weight 12 and toinstruct divider 30 by a divider signal 38 to cut tape 20. Divider 30cuts or otherwise divides tape 20 in a manner that maintains theprotective coating on the individual weights 16 sufficiently intact toavoid exposure of the material of the individual weights 16. As weight12 advances through system 12, the desired amount of weight 12automatically enters a weight applicator 34 for application to theimbalanced rotary element 14. Illustratively, controller 25 is aprogrammable logic controller and is housed in a box 39 illustrated inpart in FIG. 3. An on/off switch 31 is coupled to controller 25 toswitch system 10 on and off.

[0090] A frame 40 (FIGS. 2-3) of system 10 supports feeder 26, sensor28, tape divider 30, applicator 34, box 39, and a collection container42 for backing 22. A reel 44 containing a supply 45 of weight 12 withbacking 22 is mounted for rotation on one or more rollers 46 of frame 40as weight 12 and backing 22 are pulled off reel 44.

[0091] Feeder 26 includes a guide 48 and a backing remover or driver 50,as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. As weight 12 and backing 22 aredispensed from reel 44, guide 48 orients weight 12 and backing 22 sothat the longitudinal axes of the individual weights 16 are in avertical orientation. Guide 48 directs weight 12 and backing 22 towardtape divider 30 as driver 49 pulls backing 22 from weight 12 andadvances weight 12 past sensor 28, divider 30, and into applicator 34.Guide 48 also positions a portion of weight 12 in a desired orientationjust before that portion is presented to divider 30 so that divider 30can cut tape 20 efficiently.

[0092] Guide 48 includes first 50 and second 52 sides between whichweight 12 and backing 22 are fed, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Guide48 further includes a bottom wall 54 between first 50 and second 52sides. Sides 50, 52 and bottom wall 54 cooperate to provide a channel 56through which weight 12 and backing 22 pass. Each of sides 50, 52includes a curved side wall 58 that cooperates with an entry ramp 60 ofbottom wall 54 to provide an inlet 62 for introducing weight 12 andbacking 22 into channel 56. After passing through inlet 62, weight 12and backing 22 become sandwiched between a first side wall 64 of firstside 50 and a second side wall 66 of second side 52 as they slide onbottom wall 54. First 68 and second 70 side wall supports support first64 and second 66 side walls in properly spaced, generally verticalorientations.

[0093] First side wall 64 includes a slot (not shown) for a stopper 72which prevents weight 12 and backing 22 from falling out of channel 56back toward reel 44 when tape 20 is cut, as illustrated in FIG. 5.Stopper 72 is pivotally coupled to a mount 74 by a pivot pin 76 and isspring-biased into engagement with weights 16 by a spring 78. Stopper 72includes a leading edge 80 that slides over weights 16 and into thesmall gaps between adjacent weights 16. When tape 20 is cut, weight 12and backing 22 may retract slightly toward reel 44, but, because spring78 biases leading edge 80 against weights 16, weight 12 and backing 22are stopped from further retraction when edge 80 enters one of the smallgaps between adjacent weights 16.

[0094] The sizes of individual weights 16 and the compressibility oftape 20 and backing 22 may vary slightly along the length of weight 12.This variance could create some undesirable slack in tape 20 when itreaches a dividing zone 84 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) where divider 30 cutstape 20. Divider 30 may cut tape 20 less efficiently if it encounterssuch slack in tape 20. To minimize this slack in dividing zone 84,second side 52 includes a bias mechanism 86 positioned immediately“downstream” from second side wall 66 and across from a downstream endportion 88 of first side wall 64, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. Biasmechanism 86 yieldably biases the individual weights 16 that pass it, insequence, against end portion 88 just before they exit channel 56 andenter dividing zone 84. The particular weight(s) 16 so biased at anygiven time is (are) sometimes referred to hereinafter as the “biasedweight(s) 16 a.” Bias mechanism 86 presses against backing 22 to pushbiased weight(s) 16 a against end portion 88. Bias mechanism 86 thusaccounts for variation in the size of individual weights 16 and thecompression of tape 20 to take up slack in tape 20 allowing tape divider30 to cut tape 20 efficiently in dividing zone 84.

[0095] Bias mechanism 86 includes a body 90. Body 90 is pivotallycoupled to frame 40 by a pivot pin 92 of mechanism 86. Pivot pin 92provides a pivot axis 93 about which body 90 pivots. A washer 94 ofmechanism 86 is positioned between a head of pin 92 and body 90. A firstside 95 of body 90 includes a narrow bias surface 97 that contactsbacking 22 to press the biased weight(s) 16 a against end portion 88.First side 95 also includes a broader surface 99 recessed from biassurface 97 to minimize drag on backing 22 as backing 22 and weight 12move past body 90.

[0096] Mechanism 86 further includes a forward bias element 96 and areverse bias element 98 which are coupled to a mount 100, as illustratedin FIGS. 5-7. Mount 100 is in turn coupled to frame 40 by couplers 110.Forward bias element 96 yieldably biases bias surface 97 in a firstdirection 112 (FIG. 7) toward end portion 88 whereas reverse biaselement 98 yieldably biases bias surface 97 in a second direction 114away from end portion 88. Forward bias element 96 is positioned a firsteffective distance 116 away from pivot axis 93. Reverse bias element 98is positioned a second effective distance 118 away from pivot axis 93.Distance 116 is greater than distance 118 so that element 96 causes body90 to pivot in direction 112 against a biasing force of element 98 tonarrow a gap 120 between body 90 and end portion 88 through which weight12 and backing 22 pass. However, without element 98, element 96 wouldcause body 90 to close gap 120 between body 90 and end portion 88. It isdesirable to avoid such gap closure to facilitate automatic introductionof weight 12 and backing 22 through channel 56 into dividing zone 84when setting up system 10.

[0097] Bias elements 96, 98 are similar to one another in construction,as illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus, the description of the construction ofelement 96 applies also to the construction of element 98. Element 96includes a threaded housing 122 that is threaded into a correspondingthreaded aperture of mount 100. A nut 126 of element 96 is coupled tohousing 122 to hold housing 122 in place. A spring 128 of element 96 ispositioned within the barrel of housing 122 to urge a plunger 130 ofelement 96 to the maximum projection from housing 122 permitted byengagement of a head of plunger 130 with a shoulder provided in thebarrel. A set screw 132 of element 96 is provided to capture spring 128within the barrel. A tip of plunger 130 is positioned outside the barrelto engage a second surface 134 of body 90. Plunger 130 moves withinbarrel as body 90 pivots in response to variations in the size ofweights 16 and the compression of tape 20 and backing 22.

[0098] Backing 22 is peeled away from tape 20 and pulled around a corner136 of body 90, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Bias surface 97 and a side 138of body 90 cooperate to provide corner 136. Corner 136 defines an angleof, for example, about 40°.

[0099] After being peeled away from tape 20, backing 22 encounters aninlet guide 139, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Inlet guide 139maintains backing 22 in registry with driver 49. Inlet guide 139includes a raised platform 140 mounted on frame 40, a first side member142, a second side member 144, and an upper member 146, all of whichcooperate to provide an inlet opening 148 through which backing 22passes. Members 142, 144, 146 are mounted to a cover 150 which coverscomponents of driver 49.

[0100] Driver 49 pulls backing 22 from tape 20 through inlet opening148, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, driver 49includes a belt 152, a pulley system 154 around which belt 152 istrained, a motor 156 to rotate a drive pulley 158 of pulley system 154,and a clutch-and-brake mechanism 160 coupled to motor 156 and drivepulley 158 to control movement of backing 22 and thus weight 12 inresponse to feeder signal 36, as illustrated in FIG 1. Pulley system 154further includes first 162, second 164, and third 166 idler pulleys.Pulleys 158, 162, 164, 166 are rotatably mounted from frame 40. Belt 152is trained about drive pulley 158 and idler pulleys 162, 164 to advancebacking 22 as backing 22 passes between the intermeshing teeth of belt152 and third idler pulley 166. The teeth of belt 152 and third idlerpulley 166 help grip backing 22 which may be somewhat slick-surfaced.After passing driver 49, backing 22 is directed through an outlet guide168 and into collection container 42.

[0101] To facilitate loading of backing 22 between belt 152 and thirdidler pulley 166, third idler pulley 166 is mounted on a retractableloader 170, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. Loader 170 includes arm 172pivotally coupled to frame 40 at one end and a handle 174 coupled to theother end of arm 172. A spring 176 has one end coupled to frame 40 andanother end coupled to arm 172 to bias third idler pulley 166 normallyto an engaged position (see FIG. 5) in which third idler pulley 166engages belt 152. A machine operator can retract third idler pulley 166away from belt 152 to a disengaged position (see FIG. 3) to facilitatethreading of backing 22 between belt 152 and third idler pulley 166.

[0102] Sensor 28 includes a sensor for counting individual weights 16that pass it, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. It does so, forexample, by directing a beam of light in the direction of a spacethrough which each weight 16 passes, detecting each weight 16 as itpasses through that space, and sending counter signals 35 indicative ofeach detected weight 16 to controller 25. The light beam originates froma light source (not shown) contained within box 39 and passes through alens 178 (FIGS. 7 and 8) of a lead 180 which is coupled by a mount 182to frame 40. Head 180 extends through a slot 184 in an anvil 186 ofdivider 30 and into a slot 188 of end portion 88 so that lens 178 ispositioned close to the biased weight 16 a which will be dispensed next.

[0103] After passing lens 178 and bias surface 97, weight 12 exits fromchannel 56 and advances through dividing zone 84 into a channel 190 ofapplicator 34 as backing 22 is pulled from tape 20, as illustrated inFIGS. 5, 7, and 8. Upon exiting channel 56, weight 12 is pulled aroundcorner 136 so that it diverts from its straight path in channel 56. Adividing gap 192 is thus provided in dividing zone 84 between thecurrent biased weight 16 a, which is positioned within channel 56, andthe next adjacent downstream weight 16 b, which is positioned at leastpartially within channel 190. Dividing gap 192 exposes a portion of tape20 to anvil 186 to facilitate dividing of tape 20, which is explained inmore detail below.

[0104] Once sensor 28 has counted the desired number of weights 16,controller 25 stops weight 12. Controller 25 stops movement of weight 12by sending feeder signal 36 to driver 49 which opens the clutch ormechanism 160 and causes mechanism 160 to brake movement of pulleysystem 154, backing 22 and thus weight 12. This stoppage of weight 12“freezes” the current dividing gap 192 provided between the currentbiased weight 16 a and the current next adjacent downstream weight 16 b.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5-11, after stopping movement ofweight 12, controller sends divider signal 38 to divider 30 to causedivider 30 to cut tape 20. Upon receiving divider signal 38, an actuator193 (FIGS. 9-10) drives anvil 186 and a blade 196 of divider 30 to cuttape 20. Anvil 186 moves first during an anvil-moving stroke and blade196 moves second during a blade-moving stroke. During the anvil-movingstroke, anvil 186 advances in a direction 194 into dividing gap 192. Asanvil 186 advances into dividing gap 192, it enters and widens gap 192,reducing the likelihood that blade 196 will impact either weight 16 a or16 b. This increases the likelihood that the protective coatings onweights 16 a, 16 b will remain intact and avoid exposure to the materialof weights 16 a, 16 b. As anvil 186 contacts weight 16 b, it pushesweight 16 b into channel 190 of applicator 34. Anvil 186 also contactsthe first side 18 of tape 20 when it enters gap 192. Anvil 186 thusmoves from a tape-disengaging position (see FIGS. 7 and 9) to atape-engaging position (see FIGS. 5, 8, and 10) during the anvil-movingstroke.

[0106] Once anvil 186 contacts tape 20, the blade-moving stroke begins.During the blade-moving stroke, blade 196 approaches tape 20 from secondside 20 in a direction 198 and slices through tape 20 and into contactwith anvil 186. Blade 196 thus moves from a non-dividing position awayfrom anvil 186 and tape 20 (see FIGS. 3, 7, and 9) to a dividingposition (see FIGS. 5, 8, and 10) engaging anvil 186 and tape 20 duringthe blade-moving stroke. Anvil 186 is made of a somewhat malleablematerial, such as brass or aluminum, so that blade 196 cuts all the waythrough tape 20 even if a blade-engaging surface 200 of anvil 186 hassome irregularities. A protective blade guard 202 (FIG. 3) mounted toframe 40 partially covers blade 196 as blade 196 moves during theblade-moving stroke.

[0107] Divider 30 and guide 48 are arranged at an oblique angle to oneanother, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8. Anvil 186 and blade 196move along a straight path which is disposed at the oblique angle with astraight path of channel 56 of guide 48. Divider 30 and guide 48 arearranged in this manner so that gap 192 opens up between weights 16 a,16 b for the entry of anvil 186 during the anvil-moving stroke.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 9-11, actuator 193 includes an anvil carriage210 for carrying anvil 186, a blade carriage 212 for carrying blade 196,a fluid motor 214 coupled to both carriages 210, 212, and a valve 216electrically coupled to controller 25 to receive divider signal 38 andin fluid communication with fluid motor 214 to activate fluid motor 214.Carriages 210, 212 are mounted on supports 218 of frame 40 for slidingmovement relative to one another. Each carriage 210, 212 includes a pairof elongated slots 220 for receiving respective supports 218. Fluidmotor 214 includes a fluid cylinder 222 and a rod 224 which extends fromand retracts into cylinder 222. Fluid cylinder 222 is mounted to anvilcarriage 210, and rod 224 is mounted to blade carriage 212. Anvilcarriage 210 includes an anvil tongue 226, a cylinder tongue 228, and astop tongue 230. Anvil 186 is mounted to anvil tongue 226. Cylinder 222is mounted to cylinder tongue 228. Blade carriage 212 includes a bladetongue 234 and a rod tongue 236. Blade 196 is coupled to blade tongue234. Rod 224 is coupled to rod tongue 236.

[0109] Divider 30 further includes a sequencer 237 for sequencing themovement of anvil 186 and blade 196 relative to frame 40 so that anvil186 moves first during the anvil-moving stroke and blade 196 movessecond during the blade-moving stroke. Sequencer 237 includes anadjustable stop 238 and a spring 240, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 9,and 10. Spring 240 is coupled to frame 40 at one end and to bladecarriage 212 at its other end to bias blade 196 to its non-dividingposition away fromt anvil 186. Stop 238 includes a body 242 mounted toframe 40 and has a pair of spaced-apart ears 244 that define a space 246therebetween. Stop tongue 230 extends upwardly into space 246. Stopper238 further includes a pair of threaded adjustable members 248 a and 248b, one for each ear 244. Member 248 a engages stop tongue 230 toposition anvil 186 before the anvil-moving stroke. Member 248 b engagesstop tongue 230 to end the anvil-moving stroke. Adjustment of eithermember 248 a, 248 b adjusts the excursion 250 of anvil 186.

[0110] During the anvil-moving stroke, cylinder 222 moves anvil carriage210 and anvil 186 the distance 250 in direction 194 while blade carriage212 and blade 196 remain stationary due to a biasing force applied toblade carriage 212 by spring 240, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Members 248a, 248 b are adjusted so that anvil 186 contacts first side 18 of tape20 during the anvil-moving stroke.

[0111] After stop tongue 230 engages member 248 b, fluid motor 214overcomes the biasing force applied to blade carriage 212 by spring 240and rod 224 moves blade carriage 212 and blade 196 in direction 196 sothat blade 196 cuts through tape 20, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Anvilcarriage 210 and anvil 186 remain stationary during the blade-movingstroke due to engagement between member 248 b and stop tongue 230.

[0112] The thus-cut amount 33 of weight 12 is loaded into curved channel190 of applicator 34, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and12-15. A handle or body 252 is mounted on a pair of pegs 254 of frame 40when channel 190 is being loaded (see FIGS. 3 and 5). A clamp 256 ofapplicator 34 provides channel 190. Clamp 256 is movable relative tobody 252 between an extended, loading position (see FIGS. 5, 7, 8, 12,and 13) and a retracted, unloading position (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Inthe extended, loading position, second side 23 is positioned withinchannel 190 to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent contact between tape20 and anything. In the retracted, unloading position, second side 23 ispositioned outside of channel 190 to provide for contact with a concavesurface 257 of rotary element 14. A pair of first bias mechanisms 258 ofclamp 256 and a pair of second bias mechanisms 260 cooperate toyieldably bias clamp 256 toward the extended, loading position.

[0113] Clamp 256 includes two jaws 264 and the two first bias mechanisms258 for biasing jaws 264 toward one another to the extended, loadingposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-15. Jaws 264 provide channel 190.Each jaw 264 includes a groove 268. Grooves 268 hold the amount 33 ofweight 12 when clamp 256 is positioned in the extended, loadingposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Each jaw 264 also includesan outer flange 270 for holding the amount 33 of weight 12 when clamp256 is positioned in the retracted, unloading position, as illustratedin FIGS. 14 and 15. Each mechanism 258 includes a connector 272extending through an aperture 274 in each jaw 264 and a pair of wavesprings 276. Each wave spring 276 is captured between a head or nut 278of the respective connector 272 and the respective jaw 264. Wave springs276 cooperate to hold jaws 264 yieldably against the sides of body 252.

[0114] Body 252 includes a pair of slots 280 for connectors 272 and apair of elongated bores 282 for second bias mechanisms 260, asillustrated in FIGS. 12-15. Each connector 272 extends through and ismovable within one of slots 280 as clamp 256 moves between the extended,loading and retracted, unloading positions. Each second bias mechanism260 is positioned within the respective bore 282 and includes a setscrew 284 threaded to body 252, a plunger 286 coupled to the respectiveconnector 272, and a coil spring 288 captured between the respective setscrew 284 and plunger 286 to yieldably bias clamp 256 axially away frombody 252 to the extended, loading position. Body 252 further includes aconvex surface 290 for pressing the amount 33 of weight 12 onto concavesurface 257 of rotary element 14.

[0115] Once the amount 33 of weight 12 is loaded into grooves 268 ofchannel 190, an operator can readily attach it to concave surface 257 ofrotary element 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. The operator removesapplicator 34 from pegs 254 and, while gripping body 252, presses convexsurfaces 292 of jaws 264 against concave surface 257, as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13. Pressing surfaces 292 against surface 257 in thismanner, causes convex surface 290 of body 252 to press against weights16 and jaws 264 to retract from the extended, loading position to theretracted, unloading position, exposing side 23 of tape 20 out ofchannel 190. The amount 33 of weight 12 thus moves out of grooves 268and is held by outer flanges 270 in preparation for attachment toconcave surface 257. The operator then rolls convex surfaces 292 of jaws264 onto concave surface 257 in a direction 266, causing second side 23to contact and attach to concave surface 257. The radii of curvature ofconvex surfaces 290, 292 are substantially the same but less than theradius of curvature of concave surface 257, allowing the operator toroll the amount 33 of weight 12 onto rotary element 14.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for dispensing imbalance correctionweight for attachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in therotary element, the imbalance correction weight including one or moreindividual weights provided on a length of tape, the apparatus includinga blade and an anvil which cooperate to cut the tape, and a sequencerfor sequencing relative movement of the blade and the anvil in ablade-moving stroke and an anvil-moving stroke, respectively.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the sequencer includes a spring for biasingthe blade away from the anvil to sequence the anvil-moving stroke tooccur before the blade-moving stroke.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1further including a blade carriage carrying the blade and an anvilcarriage carrying the anvil, the blade carriage and the anvil carriagebeing mounted on a frame for relative movement.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the sequencer includes a stop for engaging the anvilcarriage to end the anvil-moving stroke.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein the stop includes a first adjustable member for adjusting theexcursion of the anvil during the anvil-moving stroke.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein the stop includes a second adjustable member engagingthe anvil carriage to position the anvil before the anvil-moving stroke,the first adjustable member engaging the anvil carriage to end theanvil-moving stroke.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sequencerincludes a spring coupled to the blade carriage to bias the blade awayfrom the anvil.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sequencerincludes a spring coupled to the blade carriage to bias the blade awayfrom the anvil.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3 including a motor coupled tothe blade carriage and the anvil carriage for moving the blade duringthe blade-moving stroke and the anvil during the anvil-moving stroke.10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the motor includes a cylinder and arod extensible from the cylinder in response to fluid flow, the cylinderbeing coupled to one of the anvil carriage and the blade carriage, andthe rod being coupled to the other of the anvil carriage and the bladecarriage.
 11. A method for dispensing imbalance correction weight forattachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotaryelement, the imbalance correction weight including one or moreindividual weights provided on a length of tape, each individual weighthaving an outer surface covered by a coating, the method includingdividing the tape while maintaining the coating on the individualweights to provide the imbalance correction weight.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein dividing the tape to provide the amount of imbalancecorrection weight includes moving a blade and an anvil relative to thetape so that the blade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein moving a blade and an anvil relative to thetape so that the blade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape includesmoving the anvil between a pair of adjacent individual weights intocontact with a first side of the tape.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein moving a blade and an anvil relative to the tape so that theblade and anvil cooperate to divide the tape includes moving the bladeinto contact with a second side of the tape after moving the anvilbetween the pair of adjacent individual weights into contact with thefirst side of the tape.
 15. The method of claim 13 further includingproviding, a gap between the pair of adjacent individual weights, movingthe anvil between a pair of adjacent individual weights into contactwith a first side of the tape includes moving the anvil into the gap.16. The method of claim 15 wherein providing, a gap includes changing adirection of motion of the tape to open up the gap between adjacentindividual weights.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein moving a bladeand an anvil relative to the tape so that the blade and anvil cooperateto divide the tape includes yieldably biasing the blade against movementtoward the tape.
 18. The method of claim 11 further including changing adirection of motion of the tape to open up the gap between adjacentindividual weights, and wherein dividing the tape to provide theimbalance correction weight includes moving an anvil into the gap and ablade toward the anvil to divide the tape.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein moving the anvil into the gap and the blade toward the anvil todivide the tape includes moving the anvil and the blade along paths thatform oblique angles with a direction of motion of the imbalancecorrection weight prior to the change in the direction of motion of theimbalance correction weight.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein movingthe anvil into the gap and the blade toward the anvil to divide the tapeincludes moving the anvil into contact with at least one of the adjacentindividual weights to widen the gap.
 21. Apparatus for dispensingimbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reducean imbalance in the rotary element, the imbalance correction weightincluding one or more individual weights provided on a length of tape,the apparatus including a tape divider for dividing the tape, and asensor for counting individual weights, the tape divider dividing thetape when the sensor has counted a number of individual weightsnecessary to reduce the imbalance.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 whereinthe sensor is a photosensor.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein thesensor is positioned immediately upstream from a dividing zone in whichthe tape divider operates to divide the tape.
 24. The apparatus of claim21 further including a guide for directing the imbalance correctionweight toward the tape divider, the guide including a wall and a biasmechanism for sequentially biasing one or more individual weightsagainst the wall, the sensor being positioned to count a weight when theweight is biased against the wall by the bias mechanism.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 24 wherein the wall includes an opening, and thesensor senses the weight through the opening.
 26. The apparatus of claim24 wherein the guide includes a channel through which the imbalancecorrection weights pass on their way to the tape divider, and the sensoris positioned across the channel from the bias mechanism.
 27. A methodfor dispensing imbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotaryelement to reduce an imbalance in the rotary element, the imbalancecorrection weight including one or more individual weights provided on alength of tap, the method including counting a desired number ofindividual weights, and dividing the tape when the desired number ofindividual weights has been counted to provide the amount of imbalancecorrection weight.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein counting thedesired number of individual weights includes counting the desirednumber of weights using a photosensor.
 29. The method of claim 27wherein counting the desired number of individual weights includescounting the individual weight next adjacent the desired number ofindividual weights.
 30. The method of claim 27 further including biasingthe desired number of individual weights toward a sensor that counts thedesired number of individual weights.
 31. Apparatus for dispensingimbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reducean imbalance in the rotary element, the imbalance correction weightincluding one or more individual weights provided on a length of tape,the apparatus including a tape divider for dividing the tape and a guidefor directing the imbalance correction weight toward the tape divider,the guide including a wall and a bias mechanism between which theimbalance correction weight is directed, the bias mechanism yieldablybiasing a portion of the imbalance correction weight against the wall.32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the bias mechanism includes a bodyand a first bias element for yieldably biasing a portion of the bodytoward the wall to bias a portion of the imbalance correction weightagainst the wall.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32 further including aframe, the body being mounted on the frame for pivotal movement inresponse to variations in the size of the individual weights and thecompressibility of the tape.
 34. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein thebias mechanism includes a second bias element for yieldably biasing theportion of the body away from the wall to maintain a space between thebody and the wall when no imbalance correction weight is between thebody and the wall.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first biaselement exerts a force on the body of a first distance from a pivot axisof the body and the second bias element exerts a force on the body at asecond distance from the pivot axis, the first distance being greaterthan the second distance.
 36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein each ofthe first and second bias elements includes a plunger and a springyieldably biasing the plunger against the body.
 37. The apparatus ofclaim 31 wherein the bias mechanism includes a body that cooperates withthe wall to define the guide, the body including a bias surface foryieldably sequentially biasing the individual weights that pass throughthe guide against the wall.
 38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein thebias surface includes a recess.
 39. A method for dispensing imbalancecorrection weight for attachment to a rotary element to reduce animbalance in the rotary element, the imbalance correction weightincluding one or more individual weights provided on a length of tape,the method including moving the imbalance correction weight through aguide including a wall, yieldably biasing a portion of the imbalancecorrection weight against the wall, and dividing the tape to provide theamount of imbalance correction weight.
 40. The method of claim 39wherein yieldably biasing a portion of the imbalance correction weightagainst the wall includes sequentially biasing one or more individualweights against the wall.
 41. The method of claim 40 whereinsequentially biasing one or more individual weights against the wallincludes sequentially biasing one or more individual weights against thewall adjacent an outlet of the guide.
 42. A method for dispensingimbalance correction weight for attachment to a rotary element to reducean imbalance in the rotary element, the imbalance correction weightincluding one or more individual weights provided on a first side of alength of tape, a removable backing being provided on a second side ofthe tape, the method including removing the backing from a portion ofthe second side, moving the imbalance correction weight toward a tapedivider in response to removing the backing from the portion of thesecond side, and dividing the tape at the tape divider to provide theamount of imbalance correction weight.
 43. The method of claim 42wherein removing the backing from a portion of the second side includesmoving a portion of the backing already removed from the second side andthe tape from which the backing has been removed in differentdirections.
 44. The method of claim 42 wherein removing the backing froma portion of the second side includes pulling on a portion of thebacking previously removed from the second side.
 45. The method of claim44 wherein pulling on a portion of the backing previously removed fromthe second side includes passing the portion of the backing previouslyremoved from the second side between a movable belt and a wheel.
 46. Themethod of claim 45 further including directing the backing removed fromthe second side from between the belt and the wheel into a collectioncontainer.
 47. Apparatus for dispensing imbalance correction weight forattachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotaryelement, the imbalance correction weight including one or moreindividual weights provided on a first side of a length of tape, aremovable backing being provided on a second side of the tape, theapparatus including a tape divider for dividing the tape and a driverfor removing the backing from the second side to move the imbalancecorrection weight toward the tape divider.
 48. The apparatus of claim 47wherein the driver includes a wheel and a movable belt for pulling on aportion of the backing removed from the second side.
 49. The apparatusof claim 48 wherein the movable belt is trained about at least twopulleys.
 50. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the portion of thebacking removed from the second side passes between the wheel and themovable belt.
 51. The apparatus of claim 48 further including a motorcoupled to a first one of the pulleys to drive the belt.
 52. Theapparatus of claim 51 wherein the driver includes a clutch-and-brakemechanism coupled to the motor and the first one of the pulleys.
 53. Theapparatus of claim 47 wherein the driver includes a movable belt and awheel for pulling on a portion of the backing removed from the secondside, and a device for yieldably urging the wheel against the movablebelt with the portion of the backing between the belt and the wheel. 54.The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the device includes a pivotal armrotatably supporting the wheel and a spring coupled to the arm to biasthe wheel toward the belt.
 55. An apparatus for attaching an imbalancecorrection weight to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in therotary element, the imbalance correction weight including one or moreindividual weights provided on a first side of a length of tape, thetape including a second side for attachment to the rotary element, theapparatus including a body including a first surface for pressing thesecond side against the rotary element, and a clamp including a pair ofjaws providing a channel, the jaws being movable relative to the bodybetween extended orientations in which the channel is beyond the firstsurface and a retracted orientation in which the channel is not beyondthe first surface.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein each jawincludes a convex second surface for contacting the rotary element tomove the imbalance correction weight out of the channel.
 57. Theapparatus of claim 55 wherein the first surface includes a convexsurface.
 58. The apparatus of claim 55 wherein the channel includes agroove defined in each jaw.
 59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein eachgroove is bounded on one side by a flange, the flanges facing eachother, and the flanges cooperate to hold the weight yieldably when thejaws are in the retracted orientation.
 60. The apparatus of claim 55wherein the clamp includes a bias mechanism for yieldably biasing thejaws toward each other.
 61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein one of thebody and the jaws includes at least one slot, the other of the body andthe jaws includes at least one aperture, at least one connector extendsthrough the aligned slot or slots and aperture or apertures, and atleast one spring is oriented on the connector or connectors and betweenthe body and the jaws.
 62. The apparatus of claim 55 further including abias mechanism for yieldably biasing the jaws toward their extendedorientations.
 63. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein the body includes atleast one bore, the bias mechanism includes a plunger and a springyieldably urging the plunger from the at least one bore and the plungeris coupled to the clamp.
 64. A method for attaching an imbalancecorrection weight to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in therotary element, the imbalance correction weight including one or moreindividual weights provided on a first side of a length of tape, thetape including a second side for attachment to the rotary element, themethod including holding the imbalance correction weight by a clamp,pressing the clamp against the rotary element, and releasing theimbalance correction weight from the clamp in contact with the rotaryelement.
 65. The method of claim 64 wherein holding the imbalancecorrection weight by a clamp includes providing a channel in the clampand positioning at least a portion of the imbalance correction weight inthe channel.
 66. The method of claim 65 wherein pressing the clampagainst the rotary element and releasing the imbalance correction weightfrom the clamp together include moving the at least a portion of theimbalance correction weight outside the channel.
 67. The method of claim64 wherein pressing the clamp against the rotary element and releasingthe imbalance correction weight from the clamp together includeretracting a pair of jaws of the clamp with respect to a body providedfor pressing the imbalance correction weight against the rotary element.68. The method of claim 67 wherein retracting a pair of jaws of theclamp with respect to a body provided for pressing the imbalancecorrection weight against the rotary element includes moving the jawsaway from one another.
 69. The method of claim 68 wherein releasing theimbalance correction weight from the clamp includes moving the imbalancecorrection weight out of grooves formed in the jaws, the grooves facingeach other, the imbalance correction weight moving to a position outsidethe grooves in which the jaws cooperate to hold the imbalance correctionweight.
 70. The method of claim 64 wherein pressing the clamp againstthe rotary element and releasing the imbalance correction weight fromthe clamp together include rolling the clamp against the rotary element.71. The method of claim 70 wherein rolling the clamp against the rotaryelement includes rolling a convex surface of the clamp against a concavesurface of the rotary element which has a radius of curvature greaterthan a radius of curvature of the convex surface of the clamp.
 72. Themethod of claim 71 wherein holding the imbalance correction weight by aclamp includes holding the imbalance correction weight by a pair of jawsof the clamp, each jaw includes a convex surface, and rolling a convexsurface of the clamp against a concave surface of the rotary elementwhich has a radius of curvature greater than a radius of curvature ofthe convex surface of the clamp includes rolling the convex surfaces ofthe jaws against the concave surface of the rotary element. 73.Apparatus for dispensing an amount of imbalance correction weight forattachment to a rotary element to reduce an imbalance in the rotaryelement, the imbalance correction weight including a number ofindividual weights provided on a first side of a length of tape, aremovable backing provided on a second side of the tape, the apparatusincluding a tape divider for dividing the tape to provide the amount ofimbalance correction weight, a guide for directing the tape toward thetape divider, a driver for pulling the backing from the second side andmoving the imbalance correction weight through the guide, a sensor forsensing the individual weights that move past the sensor, and acontroller for receiving signals from the sensor and sending signals tothe driver to control movement of the imbalance correction weight andsignal to the tape divider to cause the tape divider to divide the tapewhen the sensor has sensed a desired number of individual weights forthe amount of imbalance correction weight.
 74. The apparatus of claim 73further including a weight applicator for applying the amount ofimbalance correction weight to the rotary element, the weight applicatorbeing positioned downstream from the guide, the sensor, and the tapedivider to receive the amount of imbalance correction weight.
 75. Theapparatus of claim 73 wherein the driver is operable to pull the backingin a first direction different from a second direction in which theguide guides the tape.